On December 20, 2020, at 1:07 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a vehicle that had ran off the roadway on Interstate 69 at the 24 mile marker. Deputy Garrett Tuley arrived on scene and located the Brown 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Tuley detected the overwhelming odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the driver 28-year-old Kaitlyn Cavender of Evansville, Indiana. At that point Deputy Tuley began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation he placed Ms. Cavender into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Ms. Cavender was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. She has since posted a $650 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Princeton man arrested on DUI charge
On December 20th, 2020 at approximately 3:05 a.m. a rollover accident was reported on Old US Highway 41 near County Road 200 S. Gibson County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Fischer arrived on scene and found a 2001 Chevy S10 lying on its side in the middle of the roadway. Sgt. Fischer identified the driver as Daniel B. Decker, age 26 of Princeton. While speaking to Mr. Decker, Sgt. Fischer detected the odor of alcohol coming from his breath and or person. Sgt. Fischer conducted a roadside investigation and found probable cause to believe Mr. Decker had operated a vehicle while intoxicated. Mr. Decker was transported to Deaconess Gibson Hospital, where he failed a chemical test by registering .16. Mr. Decker was transported to the Gibson County Jail and was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior, with endangerment and with a BAC over .15%. The vehicle was towed from the scene by Sully`s Towing. Sgt. John Fischer was assisted by Officer Jones and Officer Kiesel with the Princeton Police Department.
Mr. Decker has since posted a $750 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mt. Carmel Receives $304,000 In CARES Funding
After months and months of waiting, the city of Mt. Carmel has finally its’ full share of CARES Act funding. Mayor Joe Judge said he and City Clerk Rudy Witsman had pressured state officials to release the monies allocated to Mt. Carmel. Finally, Judge said that perseverance paid off in a big way to the tune of $304,000.
Unfortunately, Judge said the state prohibits the city from dispersing any of the money to local businesses impacted by the pandemic, much the way was done in Indiana.
At their regular meeting last week, the city council voted to spend $70,000 of the money for two squad cars for the police department and $26,000 to update the audio/video technology in the council room at city hall. Judge said the new equipment will allow for the streaming of meetings, and allow city employees to attend meetings and training remotely.
Three Seek Reappointment To WGH Board
As last week’s Wabash General Hospital board of directors meeting was the last one of 2020, the board took steps to plan for next year. Board chairman Rob Coleman said board members John Evans, Toni Brines, and Kevin Raber have indicated their intention to continue serving on the board once their terms expire at year’s end. Their reappointments will now be taken to county commissioners for official approval at the county board’s meeting this afternoon.
The board’s slate of officers was also okayed for 2021 as the same officers that served this year will roll their positions into next year. Coleman will serve another year as chairman, Brines will be vice-chair, Doug McPhurson will be secretary, and Janet Storey continues to serve as treasurer.
Commission Created To Tackle Poverty Issues
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois’ Department of Human Services recently created a commission to tackle issues of poverty.
They announced goals in a news release for the newly formed Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security include reducing poverty in Illinois by 50% by 2026 and eliminating all poverty by 2036.
President and CEO of the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies Larry Dawson applauds the determination of officials to put concerted effort into tackling this issue.
“We have a situation that was untenable in 2019 and unconscionable in 2020,” Dawson said.
COVID-19 is the particular instigator for this renewed fight on poverty, according to the state’s news release.
Dawson said the state’s goals are aggressive, and said his agency can get behind those.
“Those kinds of guideposts, measurements, I think are strong motivators for folks in this industry to continue to collaborate, to bring creative energy towards finding strategies to have an outside effect on the poverty that a lot of these households are experiencing.”
Equity will be a focal point for the Commission's work.
An estimated one in three blacks and hispanics are projected to live in poverty thanks to the virus, according to the news release.
"The COVID crisis has revealed economic inequity and injustice that has existed within the state for a long time," said IDHS Secretary Grace Hou in a statement. “Before the pandemic, we know that 1.6 million Illinoisans lived in poverty, with 739,000 living in deep poverty. This is inexcusable, and we must address this by ending systems that perpetuate this intergenerational cycle."
Dawson said poverty is a resilient enemy of the people, but believes equal opportunities to succeed go a long way to fighting it. Ensuring a good education is part of that.
“Whether that is taking college courses, whether that is providing an apprentice with tools of the trade — those kinds of things we think are very helpful,” Dawson said.
While poverty is a multifaceted issue involving housing, healthcare and education among other things, Dawson says, they all feed into one crucial component.
GCSO: Be on the alert for scam artists
From Gibson County Sheriff’s Department:
As always, there are constantly scams circulating the area.
We've had some calls about a Vectren scam today. Somebody calls claiming they are with Vectren and tells you that you have an outstanding payment that needs to be made right away to avoid a disconnect. They want you to buy a prepaid card and give them the numbers over the phone as payment.
DO NOT DO THIS!!!!
If you ever get a call from a utility company saying you owe money you don't expect to owe, just hang up the phone. Look on your utility bill for a phone number (do not use one they give you over the phone) and call the company directly to verify.
Utility companies will not take prepaid card numbers for payment.
Also, be alert of package tracking scams.
There are delays with multiple carriers right now between the holiday rush and COVID. You might get a text message claiming to be from FedEx about a delayed package.
See the attached photo for an example.
In this photo, it lists a FedEx tracking number of "1Z91994" and gives you a link to click on.
First of all, a FedEx tracking number does not use the 1Z format. That is a UPS package. It's also not long enough. Do not click strange looking links like this one either. You can always go directly to the UPS, FedEx, or USPS site and enter package tracking numbers for the latest information.
New Minimum Wage Rates Set to Take Effect on New Year’s Day
SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will ring in the New Year with an additional increase in the minimum wage to $11 an hour, and the Illinois Department of Labor is encouraging employees to watch their paychecks to ensure that time worked in 2021 is paid at the new rate.
Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation into law in 2019 providing a path to a $15 minimum wage by 2025. Minimum wage earners received two increases in 2020 to $9.25 an hour on January 1 followed by an increase to $10 an hour on July 1. The minimum wage will continue to increase an additional $1 an hour each January 1 until it reaches $15 an hour in 2025.
“We want to make sure that workers earning minimum wage are aware that the $1 increase should be reflected in their pay checks for any time they work after the first of the year,” said Michael Kleinik, director of the Illinois Department of Labor. “While we fully expect employers will pay the new wage, we also want workers to be aware of the change.”
Prior to the 2020 increases, the last time Illinois increased its minimum wage was more than a decade ago in 2010 when it was raised to $8.25. Cook County has a higher minimum wage than the state, currently $13 an hour. The current city of Chicago minimum wage is $13.50 an hour for small employers (4 to 20 employees) and $14 an hour for large employers (21 or more employees).
A recent study by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute at the University of Illinois indicated that more than 1.4 million adult hourly workers in Illinois make less than $15 per hour.
The new law maintains provisions for employers to count gratuities to offset wages for workers such as food servers who regularly earn tips. Tipped employees may be paid 60 percent of the hourly minimum wage. These workers must still earn the minimum wage after receiving tips or the employer must make up the difference.
Workers who are under 18 years old and work fewer than 650 hours in a year will earn a minimum wage of $8.50 per hour beginning January 1. The youth minimum wage rate will gradually rise to $13 an hour by 2025.
All Illinois employers are required to post the “Your Rights Under Illinois Employment Laws” in a conspicuous location on the premises of the employer where notices to employees are customarily posted. The color poster, which also covers other Illinois labor laws, can be found here in English and Spanish: https://www2.illinois.gov/idol/Employers/Pages/posters.aspx
Employees with problems regarding the minimum wage can file a complaint with IDOL at the following link: https://www2.illinois.gov/idol/Pages/Complaints.aspx or call 312-793-2800.
New Minimum Wage Rates
1-1-2021 $11.00
1-1-2022 $12.00
1-1-2023 $13.00
1-1-2024 $14.00
1-1-2025 $15.00
IDPH Prepares For Public Availability Of COVID-19 Vaccines
With two COVID-19 vaccines clearing FDA approval and eventually heading out to the general public, Illinois health officials want more people available to give the shot.
The director of the Illinois Department of Public health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, has issued a proclamation modifying the scope of practice for both advanced and intermediate emergency medical technicians. This will allow more EMT’s to be able to administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
“Our traditional health care partners, such as hospitals, local health departments and clinics of course will be providing vaccinations, but we are also looking at additional health care workers who can lend a hand to this large vaccination effort,” said Ezike.
Seventeen thousand health care workers in Illinois have now received the Pfizer vaccine. The first shipment of the Moderna vaccine is due in Illinois next week.
“This is yet another very very exciting development, and it brightens the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Once you get a COVID-19 shot, how do you prove it? Ezike said with every vaccination there will be a card.
“There’s a card where the provider will write their name, the lot number, the manufacturer, the date you got it and the date you are supposed to return,” said Ezike.
There will also be a state immunization registry that will keep track of every dose administered.
IDPH on Friday reported 7,377 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, as well as 181 additional deaths. Over the past week, Illinois is averaging 138 per day.
Since the start of the pandemic, IDPH has reported a total of 886,805 coronavirus cases and 15,015 deaths.
Troopers Arrest Four Impaired Drivers During Saturation Patrol
Indiana State Police at the Evansville District conducted a saturation patrol Friday night/Saturday morning targeting dangerous and impaired drivers. Between 8 p.m. and midnight, troopers arrested four impaired drivers and made several drug arrests in Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Knox Counties.
Extra patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through an Indiana Criminal Justice Institute grant.
Impaired Driving Arrest in Vanderburgh County:
Lenoir Norris, 33, Bloomington, IL
Norris was stopped Friday night on I-69 near the 1 mile-marker for driving 76 mph in a 60 mph zone. Norris displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed he had a BAC of .10%. Norris was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Impaired Driving Arrest in Warrick County:
Steven Ricci, 24, Newburgh, IN
Ricci was stopped on SR66 near Trinity Drive for driving 86 mph in a 50 mph zone. Ricci displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed he had a BAC of .14%. Ricci was arrested and taken to the Warrick County Jail.
Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor
Impaired Driving Arrest in Knox County:
Zackary Ball, 29, Vincennes, IN
Ball was stopped on Willow Street near 6th Street in Vincennes for a defective headlight. Troopers discovered Ball was in possession of meth, marijuana, a controlled substance, and drug paraphernalia. Ball displayed signs of impairment but refused to submit to a chemical test. He was arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail.
Possession of Meth, Class 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Impaired Driving Arrest in Posey County:
Cobie Vogler, 19, Carmi, IL
Vogler was stopped on SR62 near Gun Club Road for having a defective license plate light. Vogler displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed Vogler was under the influence of meth. He was arrested and taken to the Posey County Jail.
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Additional Drug Arrest in Posey County:
Brett Hansman, 19, Carmi, IL
Hansman was a passenger in the vehicle that was stopped on SR62 near Gun Club Road. A search revealed Hansman was in possession of approximately 10 grams of meth and 22 grams of marijuana. Hansman was arrested and taken to the Posey County Jail.
Possession of Meth, Class 4 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
The holiday season is one of the deadliest times of the year for impaired driving fatalities. Last December in Indiana, there were 415 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 105 injuries and 11 fatalities.
The Indiana State Police are committed to traffic safety and will continue to conduct special patrols throughout the holiday season to apprehend impaired drivers and to deter others from driving while impaired.
Arresting Officers: Trooper Boeckman, Trooper Otolski, Trooper Widner, Trooper Stewart, and Trooper Eaton
Assisting Officers: Trooper Manning, Trooper Angermeier, Trooper Hatfield, Trooper Fulton, and Sgt. Compton
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Immediate Actions of a Putnamville State Trooper Saves the Life of a Vigo County Man
Vigo County - On December 19, 2020, at approximately 2:50 a.m., Trooper Gerald Stump’s immediate actions saved the life of a West Terre Haute man.
While on a normal patrol, Trooper Stump was traveling westbound on Cherry Street over the Wabash River bridge when he discovered a man collapsed over the concrete barrier of the bridge, facing the river, and with his feet off of the ground. Trooper Stump took immediate action, stopping and exiting his patrol car, carefully approaching the man. He attempted to engage in conversation, yet he received no response. Trooper Stump then quickly advanced towards the man. Seeing that he was unresponsive, Trooper Stump physically lifted him from the concrete barrier and placed him on solid ground. It was at this time that the man became responsive and finally acknowledged the inquiry of Trooper Stump.
Due to the cold weather, Trooper Stump placed the man into his patrol car for warmth. Further questioning and investigation by Trooper Stump revealed that the man was under the influence of alcohol and controlled substances. Communication continued between the two and Trooper Stump was able to positively convince the man to be self-admitted into a medical facility for care and treatment, allowing for proper mental and medical care. The man was then transported to a local hospital by medics of the Terre Haute Fire Department.
The Indiana State Police understands that in a crisis the mental well-being of individuals is as essential as physical well-being. The immediate and selfless actions demonstrated by Trooper Stump proved to be crucial in saving a man's life. Through those actions, proper mental and medical care for recovery will be supplied.
Assisting Agencies: Troopers of the Putnamville State Police Post, West Terre Haute Police Department, Vigo County Sheriff’s Department and the Terre Haute Fire Department.
